eBay help regarding privacy

[Tajmaster]

Hi guys

I was wondering if any of you could help.
I sold a Gamecube on eBay this morning to a guy with 2 feedback. All my auctions clearly state that bidders with less than 10 feedback need not apply but this guy emailed and said he was interested in buying and "would pay on Thursday, I am a man of my word" etc etc. I emailed back saying that I dont normally like dealing with low feedback eBayers (due to previous negative experiences) but as he had the courtesy to email first I said I will do it this time.

The other thing he asked was could I post it the next day (Friday) and could I remove the requirement to pay immediately (I always enable this on my BIN listings). I said no. I told him I cant post when he likes due to work commitments and that it clearly states that I only post on Saturdays but I try to do it sooner if possible.

Anyway, so this guy buys it this morning and then emails me and says can you post it today. I havent emailed him back yet (I do have the GC here at work and Im going to try get to the PO today).

So far, a minor annoyance but he's paid so all is OK (so far). But then! I get an email from eBay saying "request for information?! The a**holes have only gone and emailed the buyer my telephone number Im really miffed that I wasnt asked but even more annoyed that I cannot find where they got the number from?? Ive looked at all my personal preferences and cant find where my number is to remove it.

Does anyone know where it is to remove it or does it get it from Paypal?? Im going to complain to eBay when I get home as I am not happy with my number being handed out

Also, due to stuff like this and stupid fee structure and price driving of Amiga stuff by certain traders to stupid levels, I am seriously considering leaving eBay. Has anyone else done this and do you get by OK for retro stuff? I must say, I have got loads from there and its fine when its working OK but...well, you all know why we hate the scum-bay :nuts:

 

[AndyLandy]

Long story short, don't sell on eBay.

Frankly, having seen the way things are going over there, I'll probably never sell anything on that wretched hive of scum and villainy ever again. It's still just-about ok to buy from if you know what you're doing, but selling there is a mug's game. It seems that the site basically exists these days as an overpriced store-front for semi-professional retailers to sell their crap via.

 

[BrooksterMax]

You may be right that the telephone number comes from your Paypal account details.

Also I can't access Ebay where I am at the moment, but I am sure you could only register an account if you provided a telephone number (or mobile). I am not sure where such details would be kept on file - perhaps check the payment section/details?

 

[Tajmaster]

Thanks guys, Im going to check Paypal details as soon as I get home (or at work if I get a chance). This is really getting on my nerves, Im going to calm down and have a think. I think Andy may be right with regards to selling on there. Its a difficult choice though as there is a much bigger market there so you are more likely to get rid of what you want to sell, but its a better experience selling here, just not as big of an audience.

 

[AndyLandy]

Thanks guys, Im going to check Paypal details as soon as I get home (or at work if I get a chance). This is really getting on my nerves, Im going to calm down and have a think. I think Andy may be right with regards to selling on there. Its a difficult choice though as there is a much bigger market there so you are more likely to get rid of what you want to sell, but its a better experience selling here, just not as big of an audience.

Anything retro that I want to sell, I'll do on here. Anything else, I'll try and seek out a similar community that might be interested in it, otherwise it goes to Cancer Research or Freecycle.

 

[Tajmaster]

Ive sent it off now, thanks for your help Great suggestion about giving to Cancer Research Andy

 

[Tajmaster]

Just a little update, I sent the GC, the bugger got it but hasnt bothered to leave feedback!

Anyway, I also spoke to eBay and said I didnt want people to be able to request my details, they said they cant stop that but will mask my mobile number. So sort of a result? :roll:

 

[fitzsteve]

eBay is Hell these days isn't it?

I sold something there a while back and not long after the listing ended my phone rang, yep the dude got me details in the same way and guess what else - he was 'in the area' and asked if he could pop round and pick it up!

Actually - as annoyed as I was he was actually a really great guy and we chatted for ages and he even bought more of my tat. But still I didn't like the fact he was able to do that

About that feedback, same problem here these buyers don't bother to leave it anymore I always worry did it arrive? Am I going to get a neg feedback in a few weeks...

I really try and sell everything here these days...

Steve.

 

[Harrison]

If I ever sell on ebay I always wait for feedback before leaving some myself. It hasn't been a fair place for sellers in a long time, especially since not being able to leave negative feedback for buyers. How are you meant to warn people if a buyer is bad?

Regarding giving out phone numbers, isn't that against some law?

 

[tokyoracer]

I don't often have problems with buyers in my personal experience but if I do it's often overseas. They think they have the right to pay what they feel is acceptable postage costs, not the actual true postal cost. America, Canada and Brazil are the worst offenders for this (no offence to people who live there).

 

[BrooksterMax]

Regarding giving out phone numbers, isn't that against some law?

The Data Protection Act 1998 covers this and basically depends upon whether our consent (a tick in the box) has been given for Ebay to pass tel nos. on.

There should have been a "fair processing notice" something stating what they are collecting from you, why and how it is going to be used.

I doubt any of us read T&Cs - I don't even though I do sort of work in this area. It is probable that we all ticked some box saying we accept this or somewhere along the line or they updated their terms and we clicked to agree and they put this nasty thing in there.

Complain to ebay first, then ask the Information Commissioner (ICO) to investigate.

I would have to say that it looks like none of us realised this suggesting something is not right, I am going to check this out at home tonight (ebay blocked here)

 

[Tajmaster]

Yeah I am always on edge when I sell something on there Its just become a poo hole for selling, one of my biggest gripes is that people just DONT BLOODY READ THE LISTING

Regarding the phone number, as soon as I realised that he had my number I scoured my account and could find not one mention of it anywhere. eBay say its in my "address" section but I cant see it :huh: Anyway, its masked out now but thats the first time its happened in 6 or so years of being on there.

And another gripe, the price driving on there is crazy now A certain trader that some gave some quodos to on here not so long ago is the main culprit which is why I bit my tongue when that thread was opened. If you want a Miggy and you dont know about places like Amibay, thanks to that one person you cant buy an A1200 for what we all know is a reasonable price..... Im stopping now before I go postal

Amibay is the total opposite of eBay, and I love the place, thank you guys for making it great

 

[BrooksterMax]

Their privacy policy states
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/privacy-policy.html#disclosure_new

"We may also share your personal information with ........

Other eBay users, whether located within the United Kingdom or abroad. For example, where you are involved in a transaction with another user, the other user may view your email address and obtain your contact information and postal address to help complete the transaction."

Did I consent to that? Can't remember!

Is a telephone number appropriate? In my opinion NO. We should be able to opt out of this as it not necessary for a transaction - you pay and get an address that's enough.

I think we have a good case here. I am going to research further and see if I can get out of it too.

 

[PinkStabbyOne]

Ive just been stung by a non paying seller on ebay. 7 days after they won, 2 invoices and 1 polite message still no paymnt so I opened a dispute. Turns out eBay 'may' put a non payment strike on their account. After the dispute completed, guess what. No non payment strike! Shall be using this place now, seems better regulated and moderated.